Britain’s Got Talent finalist Gruffydd Wyn to perform at Pontio

Britain’s Got Talent finalist Gruffydd Wyn Roberts will be performing at Pontio in Bangor in a special concert to celebrate the success of local talents, on Friday 28th September.

Opera singer Gruff, 22, from Amlwch, wowed the BGT audience and judges with his performance of Nessun Dorma and went straight through to the semi-finals after securing a golden buzzer pass from judge Amanda Holden. Despite a strong performance in the final, Gruff, who works as part of the front of house team at Pontio, missed out to the eventual winner, the Lost Voice Guy.

Also performing at the concert will be, Côr Ieuenctid Môn, Aelwyd JMJ at Bangor University and Band Pres Llareggub.

Côr Ieuenctid Môn has now been performing for over twelve years. By now it has over 150 members and three choirs who enjoy singing under the musical direction of the choir, namely the Junior Choir, the Youth Choir and Coda. The choir has performed at some of Wales’ principal venues and beyond, including London’s Albert Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall. Their highlights in recent years included celebrating their first decade, singing with Bryn Terfel, winning the Côr Cymru Youth Choir Championship, and successes at the National Eisteddfod, including being crowned Choir of the Festival at the National Eisteddfod at Bodedern in 2017.

Following the success of Aelwyd JMJ at the Urdd National Eisteddfod at Llanelwedd this year, they will be joining us to perform a selection of their programme. At the festival they were awarded three first prizes, three seconds and one third, the Aelwyd’s greatest success to date.

Band Pres Llareggub is the original concept of Owain Roberts who thought about the idea as he pined for home in faraway London. Based on the brass band traditions of the Snowdonia district, you will hear Band Pres Llareggub blowing, shouting, jumping and dancing their way to your ears by combining various genres to provide an energetic and memorable experience. By combining elements of Hip Hop, Drum’n’Bass and New Orleans Jazz with Welsh hymns and Dafydd Iwan’s anthems, you will undoubtedly savour something new in their live performances!

Gorad Restaurant

In addition to the music feast in the Theatre, the folk singer Meinir Gwilym will be performing at Gorad restaurant before the concert. This is a free event. Book a table at the restaurant to ensure your place (bwydabar@pontio.co.uk / 01248 383826). Following a consultation period with Pontio customers, work will be done at Gorad restaurant over the summer with changes being made to the look and feel of the space as well as introducing more Welsh produce to a brand new menu.

Elen ap Robert, Pontio’s Artistic Director commented: “It’s a pleasure to be able to give these local performers a stage and an honour to welcome back Gruff, who is a member of our Front of House team, to perform on the stage of the theatre he’s used to working in. The evening will also be an opportunity to celebrate Gorad restaurant’s new menu and look with a performance by Meinir Gwilym in the restaurant marking the first in a series of events: Music in Gorad.”